Appliance for self instruction in dancing



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

M. D. De LONG. Appliance for Self Instruction in Dancing.

Patented Oct. 19,1880.

RENS@ N/EN'TUPY wwc NFETERS. FHOTO-UTHOGRAPHER. wAsHvNGTON. n C.

2Sheets-Sheet 2.

(Nc Model.)

M. D. De LONG. Appliance for Self Instruction in Dancing. No. 233,482.

Patented Oct. 19V, 1880.

N.FETERS. PHOTOYLJTHGGHAPHER. WASHINGTON, n C

UNITED STATES PATENT OEETCE.

M. DAVID DE LONG, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

APPLIANCE FOR SELF-INSTRUCTION IN DANCING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 233,482, dated October 19J 1880.

Application filed August 23, 1880.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, M. DAVlD DE LONG, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Appliances for Self-Instruction in Dancing 5 and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specication.

My invention relates to appliances for selfinstruction in dancing.

It consists in what maybe called a chart,77 (the same being a heavy sheet of paper or other suitable materiah) having delineated thereon, in substantially full size, the positions of the feet successively taken :in performing a complete gure of a dance.

It also consists in combining with delineations of the foot positions upon a chart, as described, lines showing the proper course to be taken by the feet in their passage from one position to another, with or without printed instructions upon the face of the sheet.

It further consists in combining numerals with the representations of the footpositions,

which numeralsindicate the order of the steps or foot movements to be made in performing the figure, with or without the connectinglines above mentioned.

In the drawings, Figurel l represents the chart having the foot positions ot' a waltz figure indicated thereon by means of images of the foot-soles, the same being .arran ged in their natural or direct order for both lady and gentleman. Fig. 2 shows the positions in their reverse order. The full lines indicate the positions and movements for the gentleman and the dotted lines those for the lady.

A is the sheet upon which the delineations are made. It is ot' such size as to permit the waltz or other dancing iigure to completely shown in full size thereon, and is intended to be tacked to the floor, so-that the learner may take his place and movev about thereon with that free and full sweep of movement called for in actual dancing.

B B are outlines or images of shoe-soles,

(No model.)

representing the first, the tinal, and the several intermediate positions of the feet in a waltz figure as taken by a gentleman.

C C are dotted outlines, correspondingly representing the positions taken successively by a lady. The curved lines extending from one position to another ot' the same foot indicate the direction in which the foot should be carried in the several successive movements.

The numerals l, 2, 3, &c., denote the order in which the several positions are taken, starting from the lst position-so marked on the chart. Suitable directions are also printed on the chart relative to other matters than the foot positions on the door, shown as described-such. for example, as the bending of the knees, the turning of the feet in changing the positions, etc. I prefer to print these directions, as indicated, in. full view of the learner as he stands in the iirst position.

By means of a chart printed as described, showing the igure in full size, a lady or gentlemen may privately acquire a perfect knowledge ot' the steps and movements of a waltz.

Obviously the chart may be used by a lady or gentleman separately, or the chart may contain only the iigure for a single person, either the lady or gentleman, and either direct or reverse.

The reverse positions (shown in Fig. 2) I propose to print on the opposite side otl the same sheet.

rIhe curved lines and the numerals need not both be present, but are both desirable. The right and left form ot' the shoe-sole representations will also aid the eye ot' the learner materially in his or her movements upon the chart.

Having thus described claiml. A chart representing the several positions successively taken by the feet in performing a gure of a dance, of size adapted to form an actual guide to the learner, stepping from one postion to another thereon.

2. In the chart described, representing the several successive positions of the feet in a waltz or other dance, the combination, with the images denoting the foot positions, of

my invention, I

curved lines indicating the succession of said same foot, substantially as described, and for positions, and also the direction taken by the the purposes set forth. feet in changing from one poistion to another, In testimony that I claim the foregoing as substantially as described. my invention I affix my signature in presence 5 3. In the chart described, the combination, of .two witnesses.

with the images denoting the several posi- M. DAVID DE LONG.

tions taken successively by the feet in a danceiigure, of numerals applied to the several po- Witnesses:

sitions to indicate their order, with or Without M. E. DAYTON,

:zo lines connecting the several positions of the JESSE COX, Jr. 

